Sunday, March 13, 2011

Insanity Prevails

It's taken me a few days to absorb this latest information and it still strikes me as absurd. Doc has gone to live with a human called Janis and her donkey Tequila. This human lost her thirty one year old horse last month to the decrepitudes of old age. Both she and the donkey have been in mourning and came to the realization that another equine was needed to balance their lives. Doc does not care for all the gadding about on trails and in forests that the Woman is determined to do and Janis wishes to ride only in her own backyard, so I suppose the idea makes sense on that level. But good grief, why am I never consulted? The Woman can go and see him anytime but what about me?

First Jack and now Doc gone. I don't care for this one bit. And mud and ice everywhere. I am angry, indignant, outraged and soggy up to my ankles. The Woman has tried to plead her case - that Doc will be happier once he settles in there, that it wasn't fair for him to run and cry and scream the whole time she and Molly were away. That he can do all the fancy footwork he likes within sight of his own barn - blahblahblah. If she and Molly could just stay home like normal people none of this would have been necessary.

Jack, meanwhile, is putting in very full days. Other than perambulating about with his goat satellite, he has now taken charge of the rewiring of the barn. A human who is versed in the mysteries of all things electrical is working away at the sanctuary and Jack is right beside him, giving advice and impeding his progress at all turns. The human is rather bemused but Jack has acquired so much knowledge he's thinking of writing his exam and hanging out his shingle.

Herself did a massive spring cleaning of my room today and took down the divider that we had when Jack was here. I don't care how many overtures she makes, my fury will not be abating any time soon. You can't just ruin someone's dinner with gritty supplements and remove their best friends one at a time without consequences.

18 comments:

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Glad to hear Jack's apprenticeship was successful and speedy. Not surprising - everything you relay about him suggests extraordinariness. No wonder he has left such a void in your heart - certainly not helped by the disappearance of Doc :(

The dreadfully unpalatable supplement powder adds insult to injury in your time of tribulation...

billie said...

Oh, Sheaffer. I am so sad for you. Sometimes things happen that are for good reasons in the big picture, but I know what you will say - YOUR big picture is being shifted beyond your control.

In spite of this hardship I know you will prevail and I have to say... because I know someone else will if I don't... milk this for all it is worth with The Woman.

She will be extraordinarily saddened herself and there is no reason you shouldn't have every extravagance possible during this transition time.

Now. My big question is this: when she and Molly go gallivanting, who will YOUR company be? Is she secretly planning for a new donkey friend to come stay?

Inquiring minds want to know.

And I am not surprised Jack is adding electrician to his resume. He is a renaissance man!

I hope we'll hear missives from Doc from time to time. I am sure he will want to tell all about his new place.

Take care, my friend. I am sending donkey and human hugs of the very best variety.

Buddy said...

Oh no - Doc is gone - like forever? what will Molly do - oh Sheaffer I feel a daily bath is in your future. Glad to hear Jack is well and in charge. Please tell him that he is needed here - mom hired a handy man to fix my electric fence and he has worked hour on hour and has no clue what the problem is - please tell Jack - WE NEED HELP!

Take care my fren,

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

Sheaffer, our very own Gunny and Harry are concerned that you lack in companionship. Given your miserable climate, they don't want to come for a visit. But you might consider wintering here in California if your human doesn't bring a new forever companion home soon. The boys are happy to share our abundant green grass as well as toys. You should not be alone.

ponymaid said...

Calm, Forward, Straight - what next, that's what I want to know. There are rumblings about another equine joining us but I have no details as of yet. It's all very well Jack and Doc going off and having adventures but here I am with Molly...Herself chopped up our apples and carrots very fine today and coated them in the vile supplement. I spent ages trying to remove it and ended up eating almost the whole lot. This abomination can't possibly be healthy.

ponymaid said...

billie, I knew you would understand. Yes, Herself is quite melancholy about the lack of Doc but really, she can only blame herself. I certainly blame her and am making myself quite clear on that point. Both of my male friends are off on adventures and here I am, an object to be washed by a Haflinger with a reptilian tongue. Jack has unlimited amounts of energy and numbers of opinions so I can quite see him in his new career. I will keep a close ear and eye on any new developments here and fervently hope a new companion materializes soon.

ponymaid said...

Buddy, Jack says he would delighted to take a look at your fence - hopefully he won't be "lighted up" in the testing phase. The Woman is free to visit and ride Doc whenever she likes and he is not too far away. That's all very well for her but what about me?? I know how you feel about the golden Molly but I don't think I can stand much more washing.

ponymaid said...

AutumnSkyRanch, I'm not alone in as much as I have Molly with me every waking moment but she is as much a very hairy warden as she is a companion. I have always wanted to visit California and would very much like to accept your invitation. I am an excellent manager of excess grass. I am told that by next month there will be glimmers of green in our paddock but I'll believe it when I see it.

Gazelle said...

Oh dear. The partition came down ? That means there's no chance Jack will be coming home for the Summer. Guess you'll just have to go visit him at PrimRose's place.

Suggest you keep a close eye on the driveway. Sounds like there's going to be a box on wheels coming. When it arrives make sure you check out who's inside before you allow the Woman to open it up.

The least she can do after depriving you of your two best buddies is to give you final approval on any new arrivals.

Finn the Wonder Pony said...

Oh Sheaffer!!!! This is terrible news!! Herself MUST get you a new companion! One who will stay home with you (and NOT wash you!) when she and Molly go galavanting about the countryside. Also, to give the inimitable tongue someone else to lick.

Sounds like Jack is doing fine, enjoying his new responsibilities. Be happy knowing you were instrumental in getting Jack a new lease on life.

Spring will come eventually, maybe by July...

Your fren,
FinnPony

ponymaid said...

Gazelle, given that Jack is thriving back at the sanctuary, it's been decided that he should stay. Besides, he's very involved in his new electrical career and his goat management. Not enough hours in the day for that lad. I hear mutterings and whisperings but have no news of the impending arrival of a new equine. No one tells me anything. Harumphh.

ponymaid said...

Finn Pony, I am but an afterthought in the workings of this place. Honestly, no one consults me on anything, not even which supplements I prefer (I prefer Stud Muffins supplement). The actual sun has come out (not for long, I'm sure) and that has lifted my spirits somewhat. It gave us all a terrible start as we haven't seen it since last fall. No palm trees and sand, mind you, but it's something.

completecare said...

Hi Sheaffer,

It seems like both our lives have been turned upside down lately. Your friends are slowly leaving you one at a time and with no promise of replacements. As for me,I will be reporting from a different desk for the next few weeks. My mom and I were loaded into the metal box on wheels on Monday morning and transported to the donkey sanctuary. As I reported earlier, my mom Bert, has been having some health problems so it was decided that she should go to the sanctuary to get the care she needs and when she is all fixed up we will be heading for home. I will spend my time here overseeing her care and also helping with some of the special needs donkeys. I will be able to add this to my list of references for when I enter the medical field full time. I was very excited when I arrived and saw about 60 donkeys waiting to greet us. I did some amazing dressage steps that I had learned from my Dutch Warmblood friend. Everyone was most impressed with my fancy footwork.
I will keep you posted on life at the sanctuary and how things are going with my mom.

Your fan,

Willy

Buddy said...

Oh Willy - we are all praying her for your mama to be good as new very soon. You are such a good son to look after her. Please keep us updated!

Your fren,

ponymaid said...

Willy, this is most alarming. I had no idea your esteemed mother was in such a bad way. She is lucky to have a son in the medical field to accompany her to the sanctuary. I sincerely hope her condition ameliorates soon and that you can both return home. Please keep us up to date and please carry on with your airs above the ground - the world needs more balletic medical donkeys.

dogma said...

Hi Sheaffer- Please tell CompleteCare that Ma and all the other volunteers at the Donkey Sanctuary will do their best to make sure the new arrivals are well taken care of. Apparently they are very good!

dogma said...

Sheaffer- We are so sorry to hear of the 'loss' of Doc. You must be in dire of need of some testosterone friendship. Hopefully the metal box will arrive with a male companion! It's so nice to read about Jack's success in overseeing the goings on at Primrose. Primrose herself must be quite gratified by his knowledge and assistance! Good job!!

ponymaid said...

dogma, I am sorely missing some equine male company. I can't wait to see who might arrive in the metal box - I just hope it's soon, before the rest of my sanity is lost. We're very pleased that Jack has so much to keep him busy - even Sheila, who has met many, many donkeys can't quite believe his level of activity. He is a forty-four year old ball of fire.